Methods and systems for provisioning logical circuits for intermittent use in a data network

Abstract

A customer order is received for routing data for a time period. A logical circuit is provisioned through a first LATA, an IEC, and a second LATA. The logical circuit includes first variable communication paths that automatically reroute from a first set of switches to a second set of switches of the first LATA while maintaining the logical circuit, second variable communication paths to route the data through the second LATA, and fixed communication paths to route the data between the first LATA, the second LATA, and the IEC. The second set of switches forms a route associated with the first variable communication paths that is not predefined and that is dynamically defined at a time of automatic rerouting. The logical circuit is disconnected following the end of the time period.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 provisioning a logical circuit for routing data during a time period based on a customer order, wherein provisioning the logical circuit comprises, without manual intervention, provisioning the logical circuit through a first local access and transport area, an inter-exchange carrier, and a second local access and transport area, and wherein the logical circuit includes first variable communication paths to route the data through the first local access and transport area in which the first variable communication paths automatically reroute from first input and output ports of a first set of switches of the first local access and transport area to second input and output ports of a second set of switches of the first local access and transport area while maintaining the logical circuit, second variable communication paths to route the data through the second local access and transport area, and fixed communication paths to route the data between the first local access and transport area, the second local access and transport area, and the inter-exchange carrier, the second set of switches forming a route associated with the first variable communication paths that is not predefined and that is dynamically defined at a time of automatic rerouting of the first variable communication paths; and 
 disconnecting the logical circuit following the end of the time period. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein provisioning the logical circuit comprises provisioning the logical circuit prior to the start of the time period. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2 , wherein provisioning the logical circuit prior to the start of the time period comprises:
 determining a maintenance window prior to the start of the time period; and 
 provisioning the logical circuit during the maintenance window. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein disconnecting the logical circuit following the end of the time period comprises:
 determining a maintenance window following the end of the time period; and 
 disconnecting the logical circuit during the maintenance window. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logical circuit is a permanent virtual circuit. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the logical circuit is provisioned in a multiprotocol label switching network. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a memory to store machine readable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising: 
 provisioning a logical circuit for routing data during a time period based on a customer order, wherein provisioning the logical circuit comprises, without manual intervention, provisioning the logical circuit through a first local access and transport area, an inter-exchange carrier, and a second local access and transport area, and wherein the logical circuit includes first variable communication paths to route the data through the first local access and transport area in which the first variable communication paths automatically reroute from first input and output ports of a first set of switches of the first local access and transport area to second input and output ports of a second set of switches of the first local access and transport area while maintaining the logical circuit, second variable communication paths to route the data through the second local access and transport area, and fixed communication paths to route the data between the first local access and transport area, the second local access and transport area, and the inter-exchange carrier, the second set of switches forming a route associated with the first variable communication paths that is not predefined and that is dynamically defined at a time of automatic rerouting of the first variable communication paths; and 
 disconnecting the logical circuit following the end of the time period. 
 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein provisioning the logical circuit comprises provisioning the logical circuit prior to the start of the time period. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein provisioning the logical circuit prior to the start of the time period comprises:
 determining a maintenance window prior to the start of the time period; and 
 provisioning the logical circuit during the maintenance window. 
 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein disconnecting the logical circuit following the end of the time period comprises:
 determining a maintenance window following the end of the time period; and 
 disconnecting the logical circuit during the maintenance window. 
 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the logical circuit is a permanent virtual circuit. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the logical circuit is provisioned in a multiprotocol label switching network. 
     
     
       13. A tangible machine readable storage memory comprising instructions which, when executed, cause a machine to perform a method comprising:
 provisioning a logical circuit for routing data during a time period based on a customer order, wherein provisioning the logical circuit comprises, without manual intervention, provisioning the logical circuit through a first local access and transport area, an inter-exchange carrier, and a second local access and transport area, and wherein the logical circuit includes first variable communication paths to route the data through the first local access and transport area in which the first variable communication paths automatically reroute from first input and output ports of a first set of switches of the first local access and transport area to second input and output ports of a second set of switches of the first local access and transport area while maintaining the logical circuit, second variable communication paths to route the data through the second local access and transport area, and fixed communication paths to route the data between the first local access and transport area, the second local access and transport area, and the inter-exchange carrier, the second set of switches forming a route associated with the first variable communication paths that is not predefined and that is dynamically defined at a time of automatic rerouting of the first variable communication paths; and 
 disconnecting the logical circuit following the end of the time period. 
 
     
     
       14. The tangible machine readable storage memory of  claim 13 , wherein provisioning the logical circuit comprises provisioning the logical circuit prior to the start of the time period. 
     
     
       15. The tangible machine readable storage memory of  claim 14 , wherein provisioning the logical circuit prior to the start of the time period comprises:
 determining a maintenance window prior to the start of the time period; and 
 provisioning the logical circuit during the maintenance window. 
 
     
     
       16. The tangible machine readable storage memory of  claim 13 , wherein disconnecting the logical circuit following the end of the time period comprises:
 determining a maintenance window following the end of the time period; and 
 disconnecting the logical circuit during the maintenance window. 
 
     
     
       17. The tangible machine readable storage memory of  claim 13 , wherein the logical circuit is a permanent virtual circuit. 
     
     
       18. The tangible machine readable storage memory of  claim 13 , wherein the logical circuit is provisioned in a multiprotocol label switching network.